Oil Change 2 1/2 hours

I used to work for a major auto parts retailer. I know the tricks to getting excellent commercial rates at the store where I worked.

I buy the oil in 6-quart cases. Filters are in multi-pack and I usually get 3-4 at a time. We have two other vehicles that use the same oil and filters.

$12.95 is great, too.

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I had to get a low-rise set for my first prius and also needed them for the volt which has a very low front end. I found them at my local O'Reilleys auto parts chain. They're not quite as tall as a conventional ramp and have a longer, less steep ramp section.

Nothing I've owned other than a motorcycle has been as easy as our OutBack. With nearly 9 inches of ground clearance, no ramps, jacks, stands are needed. Just slide under and drain. Oh, and the filter? It's on top of the engine facing downwards so it self drains during removal. Brilliant design.

 

What oil do they use for that price? I'm guessing not synthetic 0w20.

 

I had the same experience at my dealer with a 2 1/2 hour A01 service. I can't abide by a company that has no respect for my time. The price was only $36, but I'd gladly pay twice that if they were quick and efficent. Jiffy Lube is looking pretty good right now.

 

I have had mixed results with my local dealer. One time I tried to make an appointment for an oil change and the answer was, "We don't make appointments for oil changes, but come in and we will take care of you." So I did, and three hours later I left without the oil being changed. But the last time I went in for a recall (on my CRV, not the Clarity) they did it quickly. But for that one, which was the issue with coolant getting into the oil, they demanded that I pay for the oil filter because that was not covered by the recall. I continue to be amazed at how cavalier Honda is with their customers; that oil filter cost me $5 but I will remember it always as an example of poor customer relations. The company will invest huge amounts for marketing, but they won't invest $5 to keep an existing customer happy.

 

They claim its synthetic 0/20

 

That's a Slickdeal then. Most dealers won't even touch that price for a regular oil change.

 

I have standard steel ramps with a two-stage plastic "entry ramps" that integrate and lock into the steel ramps.
Can't remember where I got them, but it was decades ago.
I needed them for my last two cars because of the front spoilers, 1990 Jetta and 2008 Prius.

 

I like that concept. I may try to build something from wood.

I used jacks to change the oil yesterday... really don't want to do that again. I guess I should have gone higher, and put the jackstands under it...

This was my second oil change since November (first was by the dealer), so I guess I will be getting plenty of practice.

 

My dealership gives you a loaner car even if you take your car in for an oil change.

 

I have traditional metal ramps. Years back when I had a Honda CRX, I had to get creative. I had a piece of 3/8" (I think?) OSB. I calculated out the slope that I wanted (this has been 20+ years ago) and cut the first two pieces (one for each side.). That was maybe 18" long and the width of the ramps. I cut the pieces to the width, laid them on top of the previous one, butted up against the ramp, making each about an inch shorter on the end where you drive onto them. I screwed them together as I went using drywall screws so I wouldn't have anything sticking up that would interfere with subsequent pieces. Eventually I got near the top and stopped adding pieces. The metal ramps have holes in the actual ramp part. I marked a couple of them about halfway up, on the backside of the new wood ramp. Flipped my wood ramp parts over and drilled a couple of holes. I had a couple of U-bolts that were the right width. I put this in from the bottom and secured with a couple of nuts. I can remove the extension easily; but I usually store them with the extension attached, leaned up against the back wall in my garage. I'll try to remember to take a picture soon.

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A few pics

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Wow that's heavy duty! Nice.

 

I used to change my own oil when younger but nowadays it's not worth the trouble.

I got the prepaid Hondacare for all oil changes the next 3 years.

After 3 years, I'll switch to my indy.

 

My plastic entry ramps lock into holes in the metal ramps just like your engineered setup.
The metal ramps actually look remarkably like yours.

 

My dealer just took only 30 minutes for the A01 service, but I didn't have them do the tire rotation. However, I made the mistake of wandering into the sales floor area while waiting and was mercilessly harassed to buy a new Odyssey/Pilot/Ridgeline/Civic Type R/Passport. They do not stock and don't plan to stock any Clarity.

 

I would have asked the "helpful" salesperson which of those cars offers the greatest EV range.

 

Well, remarkably, those vehicles are all the same EV range. Pretty amazing.